Last Updated on March 6, 2024
Planet Earth is about 4.543 billion years old. That’s according to geological fossils uncovered over the years, which date back to around the same period. For instance, scientists have since discovered rocks in northwestern Canada believed to be about 4.2 billion years old.
Earth initially existed as one supercontinent known as Pangaea or Pangea. This continent is believed to have existed from around the late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic period.
Pangaea later began to split into smaller sub-continents via a phenomenon known as the continental drift. The supercontinent first broke into two massive land masses, namely Laurasia to the north and Gondwanaland to the south. The two sub-continents eventually split further to the seven continents we know today. And it’s from these continents that countries would later emerge.
But while planet Earth has been around for billions of years, humans began organizing themselves into nations far much later. That said, some of the oldest countries are still way older than most documented historical records.
In this post, we look at the 10 oldest countries and how they were first organized into nations.
1. Iran
- Dates Back To: 3200 BCE
- Continent: Asia
- Region: The Middle East
- Capital City: Tehran
- Political System: Theocracy
- Main Religion: Islam
- Dominant Language: Persian/Farsi
- Population (as at 2021): 85.03 million
- Oldest Notable Ruins/Monument: Persepolis Ruins (dates back to 550 BC)
Persia is a name that’s starkly familiar among Christians. The nation is mentioned throughout the Old Testament, beginning from the Pentateuch Books all the way to Haggai and Zechariah. But what many Christians don’t know is that Persia is present-day Iran. In fact, Iran was known as Persia up until the mid-20th century.
Iran is arguably the oldest nation in the world. Historical and urban settlements in the country date back to 7000 BCE (before the Christian era.) In other words, humans have lived in present-day Iran for over 9,000 years now.
However, Iran was first organized as a nation in 625 BCE by the ancient Medes people. The country was once under the Achaemenid Empire ruled by the legendary Cyrus II of Persia, commonly known as Cyrus the Great. The kingdom would later be destroyed by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE after defeating the then Persian Emperor Darius III at the Battle of Gaugamela.
2. Egypt
- Dates Back To: 3150 BCE
- Continent: Africa
- Region: North Africa/the Middle East
- Capital City: Cairo; formerly Memphis
- Political System: Democracy
- Main Religion: Islam
- Dominant Language: Arabic
- Population (as at 2021): 104.3 million
- Oldest Notable Ruins/Monument: The Sphinx (Approx. 4500 years old)
It’s common knowledge that Egypt is one of the world’s oldest countries. Tales of the Pharaohs point to a nation that was organized long before the Common Era.
Egypt is believed to have been founded by King Narmer Menes in 3150 BCE. The country was originally administered from Memphis before relocating its headquarters to Cairo in the 7th century CE.
However, while Egypt as a country is around 30 centuries old, emerging archaeological findings point to evidence of human habitation from as far back as 7000 years.
3. Syria
- Dates Back To: 3000 BCE
- Continent: Asia
- Region: The Middle East
- Capital City: Damascus
- Political System: Democracy
- Main Religion: Islam
- Dominant Language: Arabic
- Population (as at 2021): 18.28 million
- Oldest Notable Ruins/Monument: Aleppo Citadel (dates back to 3,000 BC).
Syria has been ruled by several empires for thousands of years. That only speaks to the country’s long history.
Archaeological findings uncovered a few years ago suggest that humans may have inhabited present-day Syria from as far back as 700,000 years ago. There’s also some evidence of the country’s long-lost city of Elba.
Elba is thought to have existed around 3000 BCE. It’s during this period that Syria was first organized as a country.
4. Vietnam
- Dates Back To: 2879 BCE
- Continent: Asia
- Region: Southeast Asia
- Capital City: Hanoi
- Political System: Authoritarianism
- Main Religion: Buddhism
- Dominant Language: Vietnamese
- Population (as at 2021): 98.17 million
- Oldest Notable Ruins/Monument: Ha Long Bay (thought to be over 20 million years old)
Vietnam is probably most famous in our collective conscience for The Vietnam War that took place from November 1, 1955 to April 30, 1975. However, the country had existed for millennia long before becoming the epicenter of one of the world’s most infamous wars ever fought.
According to historical records, Vietnam is about 5000 years old. The country was first organized into a nation in 2879 BCE by Hung Vuong.
Excavations over the years also indicate that some of the earliest farmers were inhabitants of present-day Vietnam.
5. Armenia
- Dates Back To: 2492 BCE
- Continent: Asia
- Region: Western Asia
- Capital City: Yerevan
- Political System: Democracy
- Main Religion: Christianity
- Dominant Language: Armenian
- Population (as at 2021): 2.968 million
- Oldest Notable Ruins/Monument: The Khor Virap Monastery (dates back to 642 CE)
Armenia boasts a history spanning more than 3500 years. The first official mentions of the country occurred in the 6th century BCE.
Armenia was also one of the world’s most powerful nations. At the peak of its political might, the country’s territories extended from the Black Sea through the Mediterranean and the Caspian Sea and all the way to Lake Urmia in Iran.
Armenia is also one of the earliest nations to embrace Christianity as a state religion. This happened in 301 CE. Since then, the country has continually identified with its own Armenian Apostolic Church.
6. Korea
- Dates Back To: 2333 BCE
- Continent: Asia
- Region: East Asia
- Capital City: Pyongyang (North Korea) and Seoul (South Korea); formerly Jolbon (37 BCE – 3 AD), Gungnae (3–427), and Pyongyang (427–668)
- Political System: Dictatorship (North Korea) and Democracy (South Korea)
- Main Religion: Shamanism and Chondoism (North Korea) and Buddhism (South Korea)
- Dominant Language: Korean
- Population (as at 2021): 25.89 million (North Korea) and 51.74 million (South Korea)
- Oldest Notable Ruins/Monument: Gyeongbokgung Palace (dates back to 1395)
Before the emergence of South Korea (in August 15, 1948) and North Korea (in September 9, 1948), Korea was a Japanese colony. And long before it was annexed by Japan, the country had already experimented with different political regimes for thousands of years, mostly monarchies.
Korea was founded in 2333 BCE by King Jumong. It was originally called Gojoseon until around 2333 BCE.
Korea has contributed immensely to technological inventions over the years. The nation was the first to invent a movable metal type printing system.
7. China
- Dates Back To: 2070 BCE
- Continent: Asia
- Region: East Asia
- Capital City: Beijing; formerly Xi’an (221 BCE)
- Political System: Authoritarianism
- Main Religion: Buddhism
- Dominant Language: Chinese (Mandarin)
- Population (as at 2021): 1.412 billion
- Oldest Notable Ruins/Monument: The Great Wall (dates back to 7th century BC)
It’s unsurprising that the land of the Great Wall features among the world’s oldest nations.
China is truly one of the earliest civilizations. The country has been around since 2017 BCE. It was founded by Yu the Great, who’s credited for establishing the Xia Dynasty.
The Xia Dynasty is said to have ruled China from 2070 – 1600 BCE. It was succeeded by the Shang Dynasty, with the last Chinese dynasty being the Qing Dynasty.
8. India
- Dates Back To: 2000 BCE
- Continent: Asia
- Region: South Asia
- Capital City: New Delhi; formerly Pataliputra
- Political System: Democracy
- Main Religion: Hinduism
- Dominant Language: Hindi
- Population (as at 2021): 1.393 billion
- Oldest Notable Ruins/Monument: The Taj Mahal (dates back to 1631 – 1648)
The Taj Mahal is undeniably India’s most iconic landmark. But while this architectural marvel has been around for 390 years, India’s history goes way back.
India was first organized as a country in 2000 BCE. King Chandragupta Maurya is credited for founding the nation.
India’s earliest documented civilization is the Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization. This early civilization thrived between 3,300 BCE and 1,300 BCE and had its headquarters at Pataliputra.
9. Israel
- Dates Back To: 1300 BCE
- Continent: Asia
- Region: The Middle East
- Capital City: Jerusalem; formerly Shechem (930 BCE) Penuel (930 – 909) Tirzah (909 – 880) Samaria (880–c. 720)
- Political System: Democracy
- Main Religion: Judaism
- Dominant Language: Hebrew
- Population (as at 2021): 9.364 million
- Oldest Notable Ruins/Monument: Gilgal Refaim (believed to be between 5000 and 6000 years old)
Israel is probably one of the oldest countries in this list whose history is well-documented. The nation’s history is extensively chronicled in the Bible and most of these Biblical accounts have been corroborated by non-religious records.
Most historians believe that Israel as a nation existed from around 1300 BCE. King Saul was the country’s first ruler, although many unofficial rulers (such as judges and prophets) preceded him.
With its deep religious roots, Israel is widely considered a blessed nation. The country is known for its military prowess, entrenched nationalism, and innovative agricultural practices.
10. Georgia
- Dates Back To: 1300 BCE
- Continent: Europe
- Region: Intersection between Eastern Europe and Western Asia
- Capital City: Tbilisi; formerly Savannah (1777)
- Political System: Democracy
- Main Religion: Christianity
- Dominant Language: Georgian
- Population (as at 2021): 3.709 million
- Oldest Notable Ruins/Monument: Basilica of Bolnisi Sioni (believed to have been constructed between 478 and 493)
Georgia is one of the newest countries. That’s if our contemporary definition of a nation is anything to go by. The country declared independence on April 9, 1991, shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union.
However, Georgia’s history dates back thousands of years ago. The country emerged in the same year as Israel. It was first unified as one kingdom during the reign of King Bagrat III of the Georgian Bagrationi Dynasty.
Numerous findings suggest evidence of political and social activity in present-day Georgia from around 1300 BCE. A significant number of these findings point to the country as the birthplace of wineries and wine making.
Summary
All the above countries teem with architectural marvels and ancient ruins worth a sightseeing tour. So, you might consider shortlisting them if planning your next vacation.